Self-Care
Self-care is talked about a lot.
It’s important, so I am glad it is talked about so much. Haha and here I am to contribute to that conversation.
Some of this information might be new, or maybe none of it is. Either way, I felt called to write and share on self-care this week.
I actually had another topic and blog post drafted and close to being ready to post for today. BUT this week, my body forced me to slow down and tune back into some of my self-care practices. So this feels like a higher priority in my personal life and I was called to share it with you all here since I am living this out very intentionally this week :)
I’ll define self-care and dive into 6 different types of self-care that I have learned about over time: physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, and sensory. People present and speak to different amounts of these, let’s call them “pillars” of self-care. I like these 6 to give me a holistic view and an actionable place to enhance my self-care practices.
Self-care = “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health.”
6 pillars of Self-Care
Physical
Emotional
Spiritual
Intellectual
Social
Sensory
These can all be practiced and improved upon. Self-care is a practice of taking action.
Physical self-care: Physical self-care focuses on basic nutrition, hydration, and exercise or movement.
Taking care of our bodies is a large component of self-care.
Exercise and movement does not need to include a vigorous exercise routine, unless that’s what you want.
A key component to physical fitness is that it should be something you enjoy, and not feel like an obligation. In order to maintain consistency in a physical self-care routine, enjoy it! This is something I am very passionate about in my own personal life and physical self-care.
Some practices: eating more veggies and fruits, eating a wide variety of whole foods, drinking enough water for your body and physical exertion, going for a bike ride, taking a yoga class, dancing, walking, etc.
Emotional self-care: Emotional self-care is about becoming more self-aware and getting in tune with your emotions and feelings.
It is important to be able to regulate our emotions based on our triggers and thought patterns and to work through them in a healthy way: being able to sit with your emotions; expressing and releasing emotions; and communicating them to others if/when necessary.
I like to think of emotional self-care as creative self-expression. When you stay consistent in these practices to support your self-expression and to become more self-aware, you deepen that connection to and understanding of your feelings and emotions. It is important to remember that you are not your feelings. Feelings and emotions are transitory.
Some practices: mindfulness, meditation, journaling, dancing, writing, painting, drawing, cooking, cleaning, etc.
Spiritual self-care: Spiritual self-care is about nourishing your soul, striving for inner peace, and seeking to find purpose and meaning in life often by connecting to something greater than yourself.
Spiritual self-care is about connecting to your Spirit or higher Self: who you really are.
Some practices: spending time in nature, meditation, breathwork, journaling, praying, reading Scripture, going to church, volunteering your time, connecting with a community of spiritually like-minded individuals, donating to a charity or cause you believe in, etc.
Intellectual self-care: Intellectual self-care focuses on learning, acquiring new knowledge and skills, and exercising our brains in new ways.
Intellectual self-care should include doing something you enjoy that nourishes and challenges your mind. This form of self-care aims to expand your knowledge.
Being a lifelong learner aligns with intellectual self-care. Learning a new skill can be a type of self-care activity in this category.
Some practices: reading a book, learning a new language, learning a new skill, listening to a thought-provoking podcast, and watching a documentary on a topic you’re interested in, etc.
Social self-care: Social self-care is the act of developing meaningful connections with others, maintaining positive social relationships, building healthy interpersonal relationships with others, and deepening your sense of identity within social settings.
Humans are social beings by nature. Connection is important to us all!
With that said, social self-care will look different for everyone.
It might differ between introverts and extroverts due to where we get our energy.
It might differ based on our level of comfort in a particular social situation.
For example, an intimate family dinner vs. a crowded baseball game with a new group of friends.
Some practices: spending time with loved ones, gathering with coworkers, reconnecting with an old friend, hanging out with a group of friends, striking up a conversation with someone at the coffee shop when you pick up your morning coffee, etc.
Sensory self-care: Sensory self-care is about engaging your five senses for self-care as a way to ground and center yourself.
Sensory self-care helps you nourish your senses - sight, smell, touch, sound, and taste.
Tapping into our senses is an effective way to bring your mind into the present moment and to help lower stress levels in the body.
Some practices: watching a sunrise or sunset, burning your favorite scented candle, wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket, walking barefoot on the grass, listening to soothing music, enjoying that first sip of coffee or tea in the morning, savoring a piece of dark chocolate, etc.
The cool thing now is what you get to do with this information.
What new pillar of self-care or new self-care activity will you implement in the next 7 days?
Perhaps it’s a combination of a few! Joining a new book club, for example, can be a form of intellectual (exercising your mind) and social self-care (connecting with new or old friends). Taking a new group exercise class can be a form of physical, emotional, and social self-care. Maybe you will slow down and indulge in the sensory experience of enjoying your morning coffee or tea somewhere new - outside, in a comfy chair, or back in bed while listening to your favorite “feel good” song to prepare you for an awesome day ahead!
Whatever it is, I hope it brings you added health, joy, and happiness this week.
If this was helpful to you, please share it with someone in your life.
Love you. Thanks for reading!
xo,
Megan C
**Disclaimer: the information in this blog post should not be used as a substitute or replacement for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.
